It was also pleasing to see so many people take part in our International Women’s Day breakfast, Tri & Duathlon, Celebrate Maroondah events, and of course BizWeek. These popular annual events are what helps us connect as a community so we can build a healthier, happier and more vibrant city.

Everyone has an important role to play in our community, which is why we encourage people to engage with us on a range of issues. One of these is Maroondah 2040, which is a blueprint for our City’s future. Over the next few months we’ll be seeking residents’ input on the Maroondah 2040 community vision and other important documents.

As the new financial year approaches, Council has adopted its 2019/20 Budget following extensive community consultation. The budget is in line with the strategic direction set out in our 2017-2021 Council Plan.

Both the Budget and Council Plan are available online and we’ve got some detail in this issue, including a breakdown of how rates and charges will be spent per $100. We also highlight some of the major capital works projects planned for the 2019/20 financial year.

For those interested in finding out what is happening in their ward over the next 12 months, in this edition we have included details of projects we will be delivering over the coming years. These are also available online, with more information becoming available as projects progress.

For those who like to plan ahead, don’t forget to mark Sunday 10 November in your calendar for the Maroondah Festival, which turns 30 this year! This promises to be a very symbolic occasion, with Council granting a Freedom of Entry to the City for the 408 Squadron and 4th Wing Australian Air Force Cadets. And of course, we’ll have all the usual activities and performances festival-goers have come to expect and love, making this the largest free community event in Melbourne’s east.

Regards,
Mayor, Cr Rob Steane

Council meetings

Council meetings are held monthly and community members are welcome to attend.

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By registering for Your Say Maroondah, you can share your ideas, provide direct feedback and exchange views on key decisions, plans and projects in your community. You can also choose to be notified of upcoming consultations or receive updates on the projects that interest you.

A look inside the 2019/20 Budget

The newly adopted 2019/20 Budget will help us continue to deliver more than 120 services and programs; protect Council’s $1.87 billion in net community assets; deliver $28.76 million of extensive capital projects; and ensure financial sustainability via a surplus of $4.87 million.

Priority actions

The 2019/20 Budget allows for 38 new initiatives to be undertaken by Council over the next financial year. The Council Plan lists 59 priority actions, including 20 major initiatives, to ensure our work and priorities continue to align with the community’s vision.

Work in partnership to undertake renewal works on the Mullum Mullum and Dandenong Creek shared trails.

Delivering vital community services

Over the past few years, Council has received significant recognition for the innovative and quality services it delivers. These services are vital to the health and wellbeing of our community and include:

Important Maternal & Child Health services delivered through seven centres across the municipality, including infant health checks and mother’s groups.

A fully accredited immunisation service, which delivers more than 10,000 vaccinations annually, including for babies and children, both pre-school and school-aged.

More than 250 hours of support provided annually to residents through the Maroondah Supported Residential Services program.

Close to 15,500 hours of Social Inclusion and Wellbeing programs for older residents and people with a disability.

Services and programs for young people aged 10 to 25, including drop-in programs and support services.

The creation and delivery of more than 40,000 Meals on Wheels meals every year.

Training and coordinating 91 school crossing supervisors, who support safe passage to and from school and kindergarten, at 74 school crossings across Maroondah.

Council has allocated $28.76 million in the 2019/20 Budget to ensure our assets continue to meet the needs of our community now and into the future. These important and diverse projects include:

improving accessibility at our facilities

road sealing and reconstruction works

footpath replacement works

stormwater and drainage renewal

sportsfield resurfacing and lighting

playground renewals and bridge

replacement works in our reserves.

Rates and charges per $100

New Croydon Town Square brings to life community’s vision

The recently opened Croydon Town Square has been welcomed by the community, with hundreds of shoppers and commuters making use of the area daily.

The square has created a central meeting point – with attractive lawn area, seating, shade and improved pedestrian connection between Croydon Station and bus interchange and the Main Street shopping precinct.

The addition of a Changing Places facility, a larger than standard fully accessible public toilet, is an important element of the town square as it ensures people with severe disabilities, and their carers and families, can participate in activities, outings and events in the community.

In planning for the Croydon Town Square project, Council undertook extensive community consultation and worked closely with key stakeholders to understand what they envisaged for this vibrant space in the heart of Croydon. The end result is a space where the community can feel safe and connected.

The project builds on previous safety and public amenity improvements in and around the precinct, including: new street lighting and wayfinding signage as part of the Croydon Connects project; upgrade and extension to the existing CCTV network; and the Render Youth Art project, which provided an opportunity for young artists to positively contribute to their community.

Did you know?

Croydon Town Square is a designated smoke-free zone. The change to Council’s Local Law came into effect on 1 January 2019 after extensive consultation highlighted strong community support for the area to be smoke-free.

Major intersection works near completion

The VicRoads major redevelopment of the Maroondah Highway, Dorset Road, Exeter Road and Bellara Drive intersection is nearing completion.

The $8 million project will reduce congestion and travel times through this busy intersection, which is noted as the second worst for evening peak travel times in Melbourne.

Recent works have seen the addition of two lanes to Dorset Road, extending two lanes in each direction, which will improve traffic flow through the intersection.

Works are also underway along the centre median of Maroondah Highway, which will provide an additional right turn lane in each direction, and near Exeter Road, to improve safety.

Construction may be undertaken at night or with some lane closures to complete the work safely.

VicRoads is undertaking the intersection works, which were funded by the Federal Government.

Maroondah Nets open for play

Hundreds of young athletes took to the courts at Maroondah’s newest multi sports pavilion, Maroondah Nets, last month.

User groups across netball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and wheelchair sports have moved into the brand new $16.5 million purpose-built facility, which includes an indoor four-court complex.

In addition, four outdoor netball courts have been constructed, incorporating the latest playing surface technology. New umpire facilities and unisex change rooms, along with multi-purpose community rooms, dedicated gym and fitness spaces, will also enable the complex to host sub-regional competitions.

The centre is home to the Melbourne East Netball Association (MENA) and the Ariels, for training and competition. The facility also serves as the home of the Croydon & Districts Volleyball Association for formal training and competition.

The venue is also available to schools, and community and disability groups for use throughout the year. The centre was funded by Council and the Victorian and Federal governments.

Community

Focussing on our children and families

Council is in the process of developing a new strategy which will guide Council’s future work for children and families. The strategy is aimed at raising the wellbeing of our youngest residents, and better meeting the needs of our community.

To ensure the community has a chance to participate in the development of the strategy we are consulting with children and their parents/carers to find out what really matters to them.

As part of the consultation, Council is undertaking a wellbeing survey in conjunction with the Department of Education and Training, University of Melbourne and local Maroondah schools.

The survey was undertaken in schools during May and is open to parents and carers to have their say until Friday 21 June.

To find out more about the strategy, or for more opportunities to contribute to the development of the strategy, visit our Your Say Maroondah page

Nominate someone deserving for the Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award

Named in honour of community stalwart Bill Wilkins, the award will be presented annually in honour of those volunteers who inspire and embody the spirit of volunteerism through their exemplary contribution to the community.

This prestigious volunteer service award will be presented for the first time at this year’s Volunteer Recognition Function ceremony, to be held on 5 December at Karralyka.

In 1994, Bill Wilkins became an Honorary Freeman of the City – the highest honour a council can bestow upon an individual. He was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2013 for his services to the City of Maroondah, which have spanned an incredible 75 years.

The annual Volunteer Recognition Function, which coincides with International Volunteer Day on 5 December, is an opportunity to publicly thank and acknowledge Maroondah’s 400-plus volunteers who assist Council to deliver important services and activities for the community, many of which would not be possible without the support of volunteers.

Nominations for the Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award will open soon, so keep an eye on Council’s website for more information, including the selection committee.

Maroondah Youth Awards shine light on outstanding young people

A record 181 young people have been recognised for their valuable contribution to the local community as recipients of the 2019 Maroondah Youth Awards.

The annual awards recognise and celebrate the extraordinary and diverse achievement of young people aged 10 to 25 who go to school, work or live in Maroondah.

This year’s awards ceremony, held on 9 April at Karralyka, recognised 181 exceptional young people who were nominated across four categories.

The Creativity Award nominees included talented young people from the world of music, theatre, dancing, acting and visual arts. The Personal Journey Award nominees spanned newly arrived refugees, young people working hard towards a future career, and young people overcoming personal or physical adversity.

The Leadership Award included an impressive pool of young people who are displaying leadership qualities through their advocacy and volunteer work and those taking on leadership roles at school or in the community. The Group Achievement Award nominees included an outstanding array of projects being undertaken by young people, including Maroondah’s Youth Wellbeing Advocates.

For more information on Council’s many programs and services for young people, check out the Maroondah Youth website

Taking a stand against elder abuse

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on 15 June, Council and members of the community came together for an event focusing on prevention, early intervention and response to elder abuse.

Led by the Eastern Elder Abuse Network (EEAN), of which Council is a member, the Eastern Metro Region WEAAD 2019 event on 12 June was aimed at starting a conversation about elder abuse prevention, both locally, and on a broader level. The event covered information on elder abuse, rights of older persons, prevention, and the assistance and support available to the community through Seniors Rights Victoria.

As part of this event, the EEAN launched the regional shared messages for WEAAD 2019 – ‘No EXCUSE for Elder Abuse’ and ‘Together WE can STOP Elder Abuse’.

The United Nations established World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, held annually on 15 June, to encourage communities to stand up against the abuse, mistreatment and suffering inflicted on older people.

Elder abuse is an issue that impacts our community and it can have a significant impact on the life of elderly people who are experiencing the abuse – whether it be financial, psychological, sexual or physical abuse, or neglect.

If you are concerned about an older person in our community there are a range of service providers that can assist you, including Council’s Aged and Disability Services. Seniors Rights Victoria also has a free, confidential Helpline, 1300 368 821.

Send your e-waste to a better place

To protect our environment and recover more precious resources, the Victorian Government is banning all e-waste from going to landfill from 1 July 2019.

Electronic waste (e-waste) refers to any item with a plug, battery or cord which is no longer working or wanted.

There are many options in and around Maroondah for recycling your waste. One option is dropping your e-waste at your nearest transfer station during opening hours, for safe and responsible disposal. Many tips and recycling centres are open seven days a week.

Unwanted electronic goods like computers, televisions and video recorders contain valuable resources such as gold, copper and silver. When recycled properly, these non-renewable materials can be recovered and repurposed into something new.

However, some materials are toxic to our environment, as they contain high levels of lead and mercury, which need to be kept out of landfill.

Council is hosting an e-waste collection event on Saturday 20 July, from 8.30pm to 3.30pm, at Council’s Operations Centre, Lincoln Road, Croydon.

City reaffirms commitment to reconciliation

Thanks to everyone who joined in our 2019 National Reconciliation Week celebration event on 28 May.

During the event – part of National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) – the community enjoyed a variety of activities, which explored Indigenous culture and heritage, including a traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, followed by moving performances by award-winning Aboriginal singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards and special guests Yeng Gali Mullum, which echoed themes of hope, resilience, redemption and joy.

Presented by Council in partnership with the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place, the annual event is an opportunity to acknowledge the traditional owners of the Maroondah land, to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can join the reconciliation effort.

National Reconciliation Week runs annually from 27 May to 3 June. The dates that bookend the week commemorate the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision.

Community Houses: something for everyone

Learn a new skill, get involved in the community, break social isolation, have fun and meet new friends – these are just some of the reasons to visit your local community centre and see what’s on offer.

From social, hobby and recreational workshops and activities, to short courses, education and workforce training, local community centres provide a whole host of fun and practical programs that cater to a wide range of interest and skill levels.

There are affordable courses on topics such as computer training, writing, languages, arts and crafts, pottery, meditation, horticulture, exercise and self-development.

Some community centres also offer nationally accredited vocational education and training (VET) courses designed to maximise your job prospects. What’s more, community centres are a great way to connect with other community based services, such as volunteering.

Events

R&M McGivern Prize is back for 2019!

Artists local to Maroondah and across Australia still have time to submit their original painting for consideration as part of the prestigious R&M McGivern Prize for 2019, valued at $25,000.

The R&M McGivern acquisitive prize is awarded every three years for an outstanding artwork in oil, gouache, acrylic or watercolour. This year’s theme of ‘Anthropocene’ asks artists to consider the impact of human habitation on the environment.

The R&M McGivern Prize was established at the bequest of the late Muriel Evelyn McGivern and is a legacy of Muriel’s support of the arts in Maroondah.

The exhibition of finalists will be held across two venues within the Ringwood arts precinct – ArtSpace at Realm and Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery – from 23 November 2019 to 2 February 2020. Entries close 5pm, Friday 28 June.

Maroondah Festival turns 30! Be part of the celebrations

The 30th annual Maroondah Festival will take place on Sunday 10 November at Town Park, Croydon – so save the date!

Stallholders, businesses and community groups eager to be part of Maroondah Festival 2019 can lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) application form from mid-July 2019.

Community groups, service providers, performance and visual artists are encouraged to submit events and activities for possible inclusion in this year’s festival celebrations.

Taking part in the Maroondah Festival is a great way to build awareness in the local community of what your organisation does; it can also provide a great fundraising opportunity.

Held on the picturesque lawns of Town Park in Croydon, Maroondah Festival is an outdoor cultural and community celebration catering for people of all ages.

A highlight this year will be a Freedom of Entry to the City performance by the 408 Squadron and 4th Wing Australian Air Force Cadets. And of course, we’ll have all the usual activities and popular amusements – Community & Health Wellbeing Expo, food and artisan market stalls, Main Stage entertainment – in what is the largest free community event in Melbourne’s east.

For further information on Maroondah Festival call 1300 88 22 33.

Challenge yourself for Run Maroondah 2019

Keep an eye out for Early Bird entries for this year’s Run Maroondah event, which takes place on Sunday 22 September at HE Parker Reserve.

Run Maroondah is open to all ages and abilities. Individuals and families can join in the 10km run or 15km challenge; the 5km run/walk; and children aged 14 and under can register for the children’s race, which is 1.2km.

To get your training on track in time for the event, the Maroondah Community Runners Club offers free coaching sessions six days a week at various locations across Maroondah. Focusing on technique, coordination, fitness and fun, the sessions are a great way to stay motivated while keeping active – all under the guidance of a qualified running coach. (Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult).

The Run Maroondah course begins at HE Parker Reserve in Heathmont and continues along the Dandenong Creek Trail.

Run Maroondah is a smoke-free event, and dogs are not permitted. Keep a close eye on our website and social media for information leading up to the event.

Dates for your diary

The Music of James Bond

Friday 2 August, 7.30pm
Karralyka, Mines Rd, Ringwood East

Prepare to be shaken, and possibly stirred, when the hit songs of cinema’s most famous secret agent are brought to exhilarating life on-stage. Featuring two of Australia’s finest voices Kate Ceberano and Michael Falzon. To find out more or to book your tickets, visit the Karralyka website or call 9870 2888.

Of Earth and Fire: Works from the Maroondah City Council Art Collection

The poetic works showcased in this collection draw upon cultural, environmental, and personal themes to explore strong connections with the natural world, and the footsteps we leave behind in the landscapes. Featured artists include Wawiriya Burton, Bindi Chocka Cole, Clara Ngala Inkamala and Jill Orr.

RingWORD

1 to 21 July
ArtSpace at Realm, Ringwood Town Square

Casting new light on the world of words, writing and text, RingWORD offers an array of interactive experiences, including installations, writing events and workshops for all ages and abilities. Presented in partnership with Eastern Regional Libraries.

Community engagement

A convenient way to Have Your Say

Since the launch in 2018 of our community consultation portal, Your Say Maroondah, residents have welcomed the opportunity to have their say on issues that matter most to them - be it through online discussions, completing a survey, voting in quick polls, or simply telling us what they think.

The online portal complements Council’s traditional methods of engagement, making it more convenient for you to share your thoughts and ideas on the issues you feel passionate about.

Thank you to those who have taken the time to provide important feedback on key projects, initiatives, planning issues, policy development and future enhancements for Maroondah.

Your views are important to us and we continue to welcome your feedback.

Would you like to be notified of upcoming consultations, or receive updates on the projects that interest you? Register here

Maroondah Golf Strategic Review

Did you know that Council owns and operates two public golf courses at Dorset and Ringwood Golf?

To ensure golf in Maroondah is sustainable in the future, Council is currently undertaking a Maroondah Golf Review, of which stage one is now complete.

The next stage of the Maroondah Golf Review will include consultation with community and key users of the facilities to further explore each of the strategic directions and options identified in the report. Stage two will open in the coming months, so keep an eye on the Your Say Maroondah website for updates and to find out how to have your say.

Maroondah Disability and Policy Action Plan

In Maroondah, 47 per cent of the population over 85 are identified as in need of assistance with daily activities or living with disabilities.

At its meeting on Monday 29 April Council adopted the new Maroondah Disability Policy and Action Plan 2019- 2021, which will guide our work in addressing the aspirations and priorities of people with disabilities in Maroondah.

Thank you to members of the community who shared their thoughts and provided feedback on our draft policy and action plan during the various community engagement stages.

Council’s previous plan resulted in some major achievements for our community, including: introducing Changing Places to Australia; commencing the Pathways for Carers Program; providing Mental Health First Aid training for the community; improving community facilities and access points in public places; providing NDIS transition assistance; and updating Council’s website to be more accessible, including offering ReadSpeaker and easyEnglish on core pages.

Maroondah Vegetation Review

Thanks to an overwhelming response to our ‘Living Maroondah’ symposium and feedback on our Issues and Options Paper, we are now developing a draft strategy for Maroondah’s vegetation and biodiversity, which will be available for public comment soon.

By incorporating the community’s views, as well as expert evidence and analysis, this strategy will provide short, medium and long-term initiatives – practical vegetation management and conservation; policy and planning controls; advocacy; education and support to our community.

Croydon Community Precinct

The Croydon Community Precinct project is progressing with the Federal Government committing $2 million towards the construction of the first community hub.

Council has been developing a Masterplan for the precinct, that will bring together a range of community services, programs and activities for people of all ages.

During this process Council has engaged with key user groups and the broader community, to explore the concept of consolidating existing facilities into new integrated community hubs. The Masterplan will also focus on enhanced open spaces and better connectivity between the Croydon Precinct, Main Street, Town Square and Public Transport Services.

Council is continuing to engage with key user groups within the precinct and there will be more opportunities very soon for the broader community to get involved and have their say.

Eastfield Park Enhancement Plan

To find out more about the Eastfield Park Enhancement Plan, and to provide your feedback on the proposed key elements, please visit the project page on Council’s Your Say Maroondah website

If you would prefer to complete a hard copy survey please contact us on 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4453.

Ringwood (MAC) Masterplan

Ringwood is one of nine designated Metropolitan Activity Centres – a priority of the Victorian Government’s blueprint for Melbourne’s growth.

Following extensive community consultation and discussion with stakeholder groups, Council officially endorsed the Ringwood Metropolitan Activity Centre (MAC) Masterplan that will help guide the future of housing, employment and retail development in the heart of Ringwood.

Council is now seeking an amendment C130 to the Maroondah Planning Scheme to implement the Ringwood MAC Masterplan. Authorisation for the amendment has been made to the Minister for Planning and formal exhibition of the Amendment is anticipated in mid-2019.

Upcoming consultation dates for the Amendment Process will be updated on the respective project page.

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback on these recent consultations.

All feedback is currently being review by our project teams. Any updates or changes will be assessed based on the feedback received, before presenting to Council for their consideration.

Arrabri ward

Your Arrabri Ward Councillors

Cr Tony Dib JP

Mobile: 0438 515 089

New planter boxes at Heathmont Shopping Centre have not only added colour and atmosphere to the popular shopping strip, they are also improving safety for visitors and shop owners.

Unfortunately, we have had some previous incidents with cars driving onto the footpath and into shop fronts. As part of carpark improvement works to address this issue, Council was installing additional bollards along the walkway.

We wanted to ensure the additional bollards didn’t have a negative impact on the streetscape, so thinking outside of the square, we instead decided to install the raised garden planters.

This has resulted in a great outcome for the community, with the new additions not only creating better protection for pedestrians, but the floral displays have also added a new feature to the walkway.

Council has received a lot of positive feedback from traders and shoppers to the precinct, which is a great outcome.

Cr Paul Macdonald

Mobile: 0436 001 760

As part of our Active and Healthy Ageing Initiative, Council has launched a new initiative called Walking Football.

It is a modified version of soccer that doesn’t involve running or tackling, which makes it easier for our older members of our community to participate.

Maintaining mobility skills as we age can help improve fitness, balance and reduce the risks of falls, but just as importantly it is a great way to have some fun and meet new people in the community.

In partnership with Croydon U3A and Melbourne City Football Club, this month Council has launched weekly sessions held at Cheong Park.

So if you’re 55 or over come along between 10am to 12noon and join in the fun of Walking Football

Cr Kylie Spears, Deputy Mayor

Mobile: 0436 003 660

It’s been great to see more players and the community enjoying the HE Parker sportsground thanks to a recent upgrade of the oval’s lighting system.

New competition standard lighting means the ground can be better utilised afterhours for a range of sports, including twilight matches and evening training.

The replacement of the existing towers using advanced LED lighting not only allows the oval to be used to greater capacity, but importantly increases the opportunity for junior and female participation. And with improvements in technology, the light is better directed onto the ground, reducing both glare and light spill.

This is also great news for clubs interested in taking part in casual and competition night games, which are becoming increasingly popular throughout Maroondah and the eastern region.

This latest upgrade will also complement the future redevelopment of the HE Parker Sporting Pavilion.

Coming up in Arrabri Ward

Mullum ward

Your Mullum Councillors

Cr Nora Lamont

Being involved in Local Government I am amazed by the high calibre of work projects we work on for our community.

We are always looking to the future and planning for our growing community to ensure we can maintain all the things we love about our municipality.

As a Councillor, I am privileged to be able to showcase our work with other local governments and the private sector. I recently shared the achievements of our Greening the Greyfields program at two conferences which attracted representatives from around the country.

The program is a world-first partnership initiative that would see property owners come together with their neighbours to amalgamate individual housing lots into one larger parcel of land. This larger precinct can then achieve better design outcomes and be transformed into new vibrant, active, healthy places to live.

Cr Samantha Mazzuchelli

Mobile: 0408 145 110

Many of Council’s parks and reserves have seen improvements recently, including the exciting addition of new play equipment and upgrades to facilities.

Some of the projects you might have noticed are the basketball courts at both Gilda Reserve and Mount View Reserve, which are now complete and visitors to Cheong Park will have noticed the addition of a new flying fox. Playground renewal works are also planned for Melview Reserve, in Ringwood North; Mundara (Cobain) Reserve, in Ringwood; and Andrew Reserve, in Ringwood, among others.

All playgrounds in Maroondah are regularly inspected and maintained to meet our community’s needs and the required Australian Standards. This includes upgrading equipment that has come to the end of its functional life.

Cr Mike Symon

As a representative on Council’s Arts Advisory Committee, I look forward to seeing the entries to this year’s R & M McGivern Prize

The prestigious award is held every three years and is open to artists right around the country.

Since its establishment in 2003, the Art Prize’s winning paintings have become valued additions to the Maroondah City Art Collection, which comprises over 400 art works in a variety of mediums.

The finalists will be exhibited at ArtSpace at Realm and Maroondah Federation Estate Gallery, from 23 November to 2 February 2020. I encourage you to take the opportunity to visit the exhibitions, where you will also have the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

While you are visiting the exhibition, you will also be able to experience a new public art installation along Greenwood Avenue. To support the exhibition Council has decorated signal boxes to provide additional incentives to walk between the exhibition spaces.

Coming up in Mullum Ward

Pitch perfect: Mullum Mullum Oval 2 new and improved

With the 2019 football season in full swing, more players are getting to enjoy the high-grade playing surface at Mullum Mullum Reserve’s Oval 2, following the completion of a $1.4 million redevelopment.

Improvements to the oval’s playing surface, including a new oval profile and irrigation and drainage, will ensure the ground can sustain high levels of usage now and into the future; as well as meeting the needs of both cricket and football.

New lighting, which meets competition standards, allows the oval to be used to a greater capacity, with junior teams now able to train at their home ground for the first time. The ground has also benefited from a new synthetic centre wicket, new multi-sport (cricket and netball) allweather synthetic practice facilities, new electronic scoreboard and coaches box.

Mullum Mullum Reserve is home to 200+ players from Norwood Cricket Club, Norwood Football Club, multiple user groups, and the Norwood Woodettes Netball Club – the largest represented club in the EFL Netball League.

Did you know

Mullum Mullum Oval #1 has been renamed the David Jamieson Oval. The contributions the late founding member made to the formation and success of the Norwood Football Club & Cricket Club was recently recognised with Council naming the oval in his honour.

Wyreena ward

Your Wyreena Councillors

Cr Tasa Damante

Mobile: 0438 704 819

It was wonderful to see so many members of the business community come together to celebrate last month’s Maroondah BizWeek 2019.

Now in its 19th year, BizWeek, is a major highlight on Maroondah’s business calendar, and this year proved no exception. Hundreds of the region’s business leaders and representatives attended over 40-plus workshops and activities held throughout the week.

I remember attending BizWeek many years ago as a new business owner myself, and I too discovered the benefits of attending these events which provide practical advice and tips on getting a business off the ground.

In addition to BizWeek, Council’s BizHub team at Realm also run a series of free and low-cost workshops and seminars throughout the year.

Whether you’re just starting out or want to expand your skill set, I encourage you to visit the BizHub website to check out the range of upcoming courses and activities.

Cr Marijke Graham

As a Chair of the committee, I’m heartened by the positive response from members of the community keen to join MEAC, which demonstrates how passionate they are about wanting to protect our local environment.

The committee serves an important advisory role on various issues, including environmental sustainability, flora and fauna protection and carbon reduction.

The new committee will be tasked with advising on a number of key projects, among them Council’s Vegetation Review, Carbon Offset Policy, Greening the Greyfields, Waste Strategy, and the Maroondah 2040 vision.

With committee members having different expertise, backgrounds and interests, I’m sure we will achieve some positive outcomes for our community over the next four years.

Cr Rob Steane, Mayor

Mobile: 0407 519 986

I was excited to be part of the 2019 Safe Cities Meeting at Realm last month. The meeting is a national initiative aimed at promoting safety and reducing crime within local communities. So it was a significant honour for Maroondah to host the event for the first time and showcase our local partnerships and achievements in this space.

The two-day meeting was an opportunity to discuss community safety, public area safety and the latest research in the field.

We also had the opportunity to discuss new initiatives and long-term strategies on how to keep our cities safe.

One of the highlights for those attending was to see the integration of Realm, Ringwood Town Square and Ringwood Station, which was achieved by strong partnerships between Council, all levels of government and the private sector.

We live is such a wonderful community, so it is important that we all continue to work together to keep our community a safe and supportive place for people to live, work and visit.

Coming up in Wyreena Ward

Croydon Park Pavilion officially opens

The new $1.3 million Croydon Park Pavilion was officially opened last month. A highlight of the redevelopment is the new spectator viewing platform that is already proving popular.

The new female-friendly change rooms and toilets provide more participation opportunities for females, while the new accessible toilet, lift access and social spaces ensure access for people of all abilities.

Refurbishment of the downstairs space also sees the addition of a new kiosk, home/away and umpire change rooms, new meeting and first aid rooms, gymnasium, storerooms, and new fire service and hydrant connection.

As well as providing lift access, the upper level includes renovations to existing male, female and accessible toilets, new floor coverings and an extension to the undercover balcony.

Croydon Park Pavilion is home to some of the region’s longest-running sporting clubs, including the Croydon Cricket Club, which formed in 1886, making it one of the oldest clubs in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. It’s also home to Croydon Football Club, established in 1906, and the Croydon Tennis Club, formed in 1907.

Maroondah City Council is committed to protecting your privacy as prescribed by the Privacy & Data Protection Act 2014 and the Health Records Act 2001. The information you provide on this form is being collected by Maroondah City Council for the strict purpose of conducting Council business. Your information will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, unless Council is required or authorised to do so by law. Failure to provide the information requested may make you ineligible to receive the service or be part of an event/function that is the subject of this form. Any access to the information, amendments that may be required or any privacy enquiries may be directed to Council's Privacy Officer & Health Records Officer on 9298 4211 or email privacy@maroondah.vic.gov.au

Maroondah City Council is committed to protecting your privacy as prescribed by the Privacy & Data Protection Act 2014 and the Health Records Act 2001. The information you provide on this form is being collected by Maroondah City Council for the strict purpose of conducting Council business. Your information will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, unless Council is required or authorised to do so by law. Failure to provide the information requested may make you ineligible to receive the service or be part of an event/function that is the subject of this form. Any access to the information, amendments that may be required or any privacy enquiries may be directed to Council's Privacy Officer & Health Records Officer on 9298 4211 or email privacy@maroondah.vic.gov.au